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And he couldn’t get enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
VICKIEFROZEWHENGordy playfully tapped her on the behind as he walked around his truck to tie down the upholstered headboard.
“Don’t youdaredo that at Zoey’s place!”
“Why?” He was laughing. “Is sleeping with me something taboo, like having an affair with your pool boy?” He tied a knot in the rope. “Or is it because I’m so precious to you that you want me all to yourself?”
She blinked. It was a little of both, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.
“I don’t have a pool boy. I have a robot thingy that keeps it clean.”
Gordy walked up to her, resting his hands on her waist. It wasn’t fair how good he looked in his dark T-shirt and cargo shorts. He smelled good, too. And that thick hair was constantly begging to have her fingers in it. And then he smiled, quickly melting her heart.
“I don’t have to worry about you having a fling with that robot thingy, do I?”
She laughed. Vickie never thought of herself as the melting type, but she was definitely melting right now. Into him.Forhim.
“I’ve got a contractor who’s keeping me pretty busy these days.” She shrugged playfully. “Let’s get this thing over to Zoey’s. It’s been a long day.”
He opened the passenger door to his truck, then helped her get up into the four-wheel drive vehicle with at least some of her dignity intact. She’d changed into embroidered denim capris and a blue knit top after getting home from Mary’s. She wasn’t sure if it was appropriatefurniture-moving in a pickup truckattire, but it was the closest she could come up with.
Gordy hopped into the driver’s seat. “The sooner we get this delivered, the sooner we can come back and, uh...rest.”
Vickie just snorted in response. What he had in mind had nothing to do withresting. And that was just fine with her.
The past few weeks had been unlike anything Vickie ever expected to have happen at this stage of her life. Gordy was staying at her place nearly every night now—sometimes after working there all day. He’d bring a change of clothes, then shower before dinner. And after dinner, they’d sit by the water and watch the sun set, usually with him drinking beer and her sipping wine.
They’d talk. About his two sons and five grandchildren. The closest son lived in Buffalo, while the other was in Vermont. The Buffalo son had driven down with his family to take Gordy to brunch earlier for Father’s Day. They talked about his late wife, Kathy. Vickie remembered her from school as a sweet girl, who’d apparently been a wonderful, supportive wife. She’d died of cancer when the boys were in college. And they talked about Vickie’s marriages.
She’d loved her first two husbands in different ways. Stanley Noor had given her a taste of wealth and security she’d never had before. He’d lavished her with gifts, but as much as they loved each other, they were neverinlove with each other. Even in the divorce after five years of trying to make it work, Stanley had been generous as always. Her second husband, Malcolm Pendergast, had been her true love. A county district attorney, he bought her the lakefront home as a wedding gift. They’d tried for a family, but it wasn’t meant to be. After twelve years of happy marriage, a sudden heart attack took him from her. She and Malcolm had shared a deep, true love and appreciation for each other. That’s why she went back tohislast name when her third husband, Conway Rivers, turned out to be a gold-digging fraud. She’d kicked him to the curb,withoutany of her money, after a regrettable seven months.
She’d never realized how lonely she’d been lately for the company of a man. Sure, she had her friends to talk to, and she rarely held anything back from them. Despite their sarcasm and teasing, they supported her 100 percent at all times. But...it wasn’t the same as talking to someone who’d known her intimately. There was a wall that fell once you’d slept with someone. What was the use of hiding anything when they’d seen everything? Especially at her age.
Her first time with Gordy a few weeks ago had been an adventure in vulnerability. He’d needed a pill. She’d needed lubrication. She was awkward and uncharacteristically shy. Gordy was calm and extremely patient. They’d talked their way through every step, until it reached the point of being funny. And once they’d started laughing, things got so much easier. And sexier.
His touch had made her body blush and react in ways she thought were long gone. Who knew old ladies could still have fun at this? What an idiot she’d been to wait this long. But then again...waiting for a man like Gordy Lexiter may have been the perfect plan. Maybe it had takenhimto reawaken her desire.
They didn’t make love every time he stayed over. Sometimes they just cuddled and watched some show on a streaming service, falling asleep in each other’s arms. Gordy was firmly hooked on British crime shows, and Vickie was starting to enjoy them, too.
“Whatcha’ thinkin’ over there, Vicks?” Gordy reached out and took her hand. She was beginning to adjust to the nickname he continued to use. He always said it with so much warmth and intimacy that it was hard to argue about it. “We’re almost there and you haven’t said a word.”
She blinked, surprised to see they were up the hill and turning onto Zoey’s road already.
“I guess I just zoned out. Like I said, it’s been a long day.”
“How was your cookout with your friends?”
It had been a very revealing cookout, but they’d promised not to share the news about Mike and Zoey.
“It was nice. Most of my book club friends were there, so we chatted and let the younger people do their thing.”
“What does your book club actuallydo?” He glanced at her. “I don’t think I’ve seen you pick up a book since we started—”
“Started our torrid affair?” She squeezed his fingers. “I’ve been a little busy. We try to read a book a month, but our meetings tend to wanderwayoff topic.”
“Uh-huh.” He grinned. “I’m working on a landscaping project with Owen Cooper on the other side of town, and he said you guys love to play matchmaker. I never thought of you as a romantic.”
